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Open Poetry #32
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Ratleader
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Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

0 posted 2004-05-30 07:05 AM


Feather

Life is a lone gray bird
of undetermined kind,
flying slow away;
I don’t know how long
it will remain in sight
or how to call it back.
A single feather remains,
a cast off token that
drifted down to me.
I take it up, hold it
in my fingers twirl
it quick then slow,
following the play
of shadow over its
directional silk,
some lighter shades
in the down of it,
the slow darkening
outward along its length,
and the indefinable
curve sheens of light
along on the surface,
somehow reflected
from the smooth
unsmoothness there.
I begin to see or
maybe imagine hints
of depth, color, shifts
of blue, even pink,
but not enough,
not nearly enough.
And how could there
be enough? It is
after all only a
feather that fell
to me in passing
from a lone gray bird
I held in my hand once,
now flying slow away.


[This message has been edited by Ratleader (05-31-2004 02:33 AM).]

© Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2004-05-30 11:03 AM


Ed

I have been picking up feathers that have fallen in my path for a long time now, thinking they are tokens sent from some wider spirit telling me something, although I'm never quite sure what.  I keep them anyway.  The texture of this poem is beautiful, and the underlying feeling of sadness hurts to read.  A tender, thought filled write, dear friend...so glad to see it here this morning.  

Sadelite
Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519

2 posted 2004-05-30 12:10 PM


feathers...aerodynamic masterpieces in themselves!  Very interesting reflections and observations of the gift;  Enjoyed!  Have a great weekend.
             Sadie

Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
3 posted 2004-05-30 12:21 PM


I really felt this and loved the analogy.  I wonder, if you collect enough feathers, could you create your own bird?

Susan

The whole of the Universe resides within each individual heart.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
4 posted 2004-05-30 12:33 PM


touching write, makes me think
suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 2004-05-30 01:30 PM


I get so lost in your incredible images... only to find so many life truths in the depths of your words.

What life leaves us sometimes seems so insignificant and incomplete... but it's what we make of it... you've made a study in art and emotion out of the merest wisp of wing.

Elegant excellence, my friend.

Bonnie j
Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588
Ohio
6 posted 2004-05-30 01:51 PM


One little feather a delicate masterpiece of color and design.
Good One.
BonBon

Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

7 posted 2004-05-30 02:25 PM


Another great write!

Eric

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
8 posted 2004-05-30 10:49 PM


Ed....sometimes even a single feather's enough to fly
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
9 posted 2004-05-31 01:44 AM


RatL -- I can't tell you what I really feel about this poem because you would think me wacked!  Let's just say....feathers are very symbollic in many cultures, sometimes even spiritual.....and, then, there's the quill......enjoyed your poem.  ....jo
*Belabebeautiful*
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2003-01-03
Posts 696
washington, USA
10 posted 2004-06-01 02:11 AM


this brought me a sense of tranquility, very peacefull images. I really enjoyed it.
~Live and Laugh~

The memories are worth the pain when the happiness is outweighs the sorrow
~Bella~

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